So hubadub surprises me with this news....

[Ally]

...we were sitting on the terrace of a lovely restaurant Tuesday evening in Mijas and he's casually asking me what dates I'm planning to go to the UK next summer when I break up from school.

Oh says me..it'll be the usual early July, I'll do the Brum meet, London with Jackie and a few other things.

Any plans for next August, he asks. Blimey Don says I. I haven't thought quite that far yet.

Good he says. Keep your birthday week free as we're going to New York!!!

I didn't see that coming!

Jo....help! I've looked online at loads of hotels and am absolutely lost at the choice!

Any ideas?!

[Kaz]

Ooh lovely!!

[Ally]

Ooh lovely!!

Don went in June 1988 (at the same time I was in Washington. We hadn't met then. That happened 4 months later. )

Anyway...needless to say he can't remember what hotel he stayed in. He can name all the bars though.

[Kaz]

Mick generally navigates the towns here by the pubs we're passing - oh and the telephone exchanges!

[Ally]

I'm with him on the pub guide navigation.

[JoM]

Ooooh you lucky thing! I was only looking at pics earlier and thinking I need to get back there soon!

Hotels I'd personally recommend from previous visits are the Radisson Martinique on 32nd and Broadway, think it's still a Radisson anyway. Either way, it's the Martinique. The New Yorker too, on 34th St (around 8th or 9th Ave).
We stayed in Hells Kitchen though last time and the hotel wasn't bad but, like many there now, it's being used as a homeless shelter. Not talking tramps who walk the streets all day and doss down there at night but families who don't have anywhere are housed on an entire floor. It's happening in hotels all over the city. The area itself though was great, lots of really good restaurants and bars.

[JoM]

Another, the Walker Hotel (apt for you!) near Union Square.

[Ally]

Oh thanks Jo! X

It's a minefield.

[JoM]

It really is! I find myself reading reviews on TripAdvisor and you get a load of really excellent ones and think you've found the right place to stay and then you read a poor one...!

Never stayed in Brooklyn but Williamsburg is lovely and apparently has some nice hotels. We certainly liked the area anyway.

[Diflower]

Lovely!
He does have to book you ahead after all